Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) Associate in Science (LEGAL-AS)

The legal assistant—also referred to as a paralegal—has become, in less than two decades, an integral part of the legal profession. This program equips its graduates to function both as an attorney's general assistant and as a highly competent specialist in a particular area of law.

In addition to 16 hours of general education courses, all students must complete 48 hours of core courses.

Courses are structured and scheduled so that a student should be able to enter the program on either a full or part-time basis in any day or night semester.

We strongly encourage you to contact the Business Department for assistance in planning your program of study.

Department Head:

Debra Kuhl, (850) 484-2504

dkuhl@pensacolastate.edu

Program Contact:

James Hightower, (850) 484-1367

jhightower@pensacolastate.edu

Degree Requirements

Semester 1 (15 cc)

ENC 1101CEnglish Composition I

3 cc

PLA 1003The Legal Profession

3 cc

PLA 1104Legal Research and Writing I

3 cc

PLA 1273Torts

3 cc

See Choices Humanities (General Education Core Course)

3 cc

See general education course list for general education course options.

Semester 2 (16 cc)

ENC 1102English Composition II

3 cc

PLA 1203Civil Litigation

3 cc

PLA 1700Legal Ethics

3 cc

PLA 2880Constitutional Law

3 cc

SPC 1006CBasic Speaking and Listening Skills

1 cc

 

Choose one of the following Mathematics General Education Courses:

MAC 1105College Algebra

3 cc

MGF 1106Mathematics for Liberal Arts I

3 cc

MGF 1107Mathematics for Liberal Arts II

3 cc

STA 2023Elementary Statistics

3 cc

MAC 1105 is recommended.

Semester 3 (18 cc)

PLA 2730Computers in Law

3 cc

See Choices Any Natural Sciences General Education Course

3 cc

See Choices Any Social Sciences General Education Course

3 cc

Program Electives

9 cc

See general education course list for general education course options.

Semester 4 (15 cc)

PLA 2114Legal Research and Writing II

3 cc

PLA 2944Paralegal Practicum

3 cc

Program Electives

9 cc

Program Electives

PLA 1303Criminal Law and Procedure

3 cc

PLA 2260Evidence

3 cc

PLA 2276Automobile Insurance, Workers' Compensation, and Administrative Law

3 cc

PLA 2423Contracts

3 cc

PLA 2433Business Organizations

3 cc

PLA 2601Probate

3 cc

PLA 2610Real Estate Law

3 cc

PLA 2800Domestic Relations

3 cc

PLA 2943Law Office Internship

3 cc

or

PLA 2949Paralegal Studies Co-op

3 cc

CGS 1570Computer Concepts and Applications

3 cc

Only students who are not familiar with the Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access) should take CGS 1570.

Total Credit Hours: 64

.